ESOS Regulations and Energy Audits

Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme Regulations

The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme Regulations (ESOS) 2014 bring into force Article 8 of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and mandate that all large businesses in the UK undertake comprehensive assessments of energy use and energy efficiency opportunities at least once every four years.

The deadline for the first compliance period was 29th January 2016, by which time qualifying businesses should have achieved compliance with the regulations and notified the Environment Agency.

The criteria for inclusion to ESOS is not straightforward, but it applies to any 'large undertaking' that carries out a trade or a business, and any corporate group where at least one member of the UK group meets the ESOS criteria. If an organisation meets the qualification criteria but fails to follow the legislation, it could face a fine of up to £90,000.

A large undertaking is one that employs at least 250 people or has an annual turnover over £40 million and a balance sheet more than £34 million. Most public sector bodies are excluded, but some, such as many Universities may qualify.

ESOS energy audits of buildings have a specific route that is allowable. The appointed lead assessor (Registered on the Approved Professional Body ESOS Register) has the responsibility to assess any existing energy audits. This covers the organisation's portfolio of buildings that contribute to the “Significant” energy use. These audits have to relate to the reference period and they have to be ESOS Compliant Energy Audits.

For many users of refrigeration or air conditioning equipment, the energy consumed by their refrigeration plant is often one of their largest consumers. This can account for anywhere between 25% and 60% for food production facilities. For cold storage, it can be towards to 85%. To identify the true opportunities for energy savings, companies should use specialist independent experts, in both refrigeration and energy efficiency, to carry out the energy audits.

Energy Performance of Building Regulations

Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations and Air Conditioning Inspections

The Directive introduced mandatory 'measures to establish a regular inspection of air conditioning systems of an effective rated output of more than 12 kW'. In the UK separate legislation has been introduced in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland that requires building owners or managers to undertake regular inspections of air conditioning systems.

Guidance is available from Government (DCLG) to help anyone who manages or controls an air-conditioning system to understand:

how the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations (Certificates and Inspections (England and Wales) Regulations and the Directive, on which these regulations are based, work in practice

Energy Using Products

The EU Ecodesign Directive (Directive 2009/125/EC)

This is a framework directive that obliges manufacturers of energy consuming products to reduce the energy consumption and sometimes also other negative environmental impacts occurring throughout the product life cycle for products that are within scope of the many separate ‘implementing directives’ under the framework.

The Directive is complemented by the Energy Labelling Directive (Directive 2010/30/EU).

During the development of the regulations, products are considered under ‘Lots’ or groups of similar products. The Directive and its implementing measures are under the responsibility of the EU DG (Directorate General) Enterprise and Industry (ENTR), and DG Energy (ENER).

Lot

Product groups

Regulation/status

Requirements mandatory from:

ENTR Lot 1

Refrigerating and freezing equipment

Draft regulation

Condensing units 01.07.15

Process chillers 01.07.15

Proposed 01.07.16 for professional cabinets

ENER Lot 1

Boilers, heating and combi systems

Working document

2018 Foreseen review of regulations

ENER Lot 2

Water heaters

Working document

2018 Foreseen review of regulations

ENTR Lot 6

Air-conditioning and ventilation systems

Reg. 1253/2014

01.01.2016

ENER Lot 10

Residential ventilation

Reg. 1254/2014

01.01.2016

ENER Lot 10

Room air conditioners and comfort fans

Reg. 206/2012

01.01.2013

ENER Lot 11

Electric motors

Reg. 640/2009 Amendm. 4/2014

12.08.2009

ENER Lot 11

Fans

Reg. 327/2011

01.01.2013

ENER Lot 11

Water pumps

Reg. 547/2012

01.01.2013

ENER Lot 12

Commercial refrigerators and freezers

Working document

Proposed 01.01.17

ENER Lot 13

Domestic refrigerators and freezers

Reg. 643/2009

01.07.2010

ENER Lot 21

Central heating products

Lot 31

Compressors

Working document

n/a

Other useful links

ATEX & DSEAR

IOR and FSDF DSEAR checklist

This checklist is designed to give owners of ammonia charged refrigeration systems a quick indication of whether their system is likely to be technically compliant with the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (2002). It does not address issues related to or the hazards arising from the toxicity of ammonia. These are not covered by DSEAR (2002), but they do need to be considered to ensure compliance with the regulations listed below. This self-assessment is not a substitute for the formal risk assessment required by DSEAR (2002) nor is it a substitute for the annual inspection required under the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (2000). The contents of this document apply solely to refrigeration systems that are charged with ammonia.